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Prince just stole a base! Awesome!

Is it me or does Valverde look like the pitcher he was on the D-Backs a few years ago? His ball isn't dropping, think they told him to quit throwing "that junk"? It happens.

When he comes in I think "Rodney" now. UGH!

(04-18-2012 11:25 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  Is it me or does Valverde look like the pitcher he was on the D-Backs a few years ago? His ball isn't dropping, think they told him to quit throwing "that junk"? It happens.

When he comes in I think "Rodney" now. UGH!

Agree. A little iffy. Hopefully he will get back into the swing of things soon. I know he was really relieved when the save streak ended. A lot of weight off his shoulders. A big series coming up with Texas. If we come out of it with 2 games I'll be happy.

Valverde is rapidly approaching the "Todd Jones Zone"....multiple people on base in the ninth and everyone is praying he gets three outs.

I don't expect him to perform like last year...but an easy 1-2-3 ninth inning would be a refreshing change of pace.

Not surprising. Outside of Rivera, has any closer ever been really solid in closing the door with a minimum of fuss?

There's fuss...and then there is Todd Jones type fuss.

Good closers in MLB usually have a WHIP around .9-1.2

2012 Valverde = 1.65 with 3 saves
2011 Valverde = 1.18 with 49 saves
2010 Valverde = 1.15 with 26 saves

2008 Todd Jones = 1.63 with 18 saves
2007 Todd Jones = 1.41 with 38 saves
2006 Todd Jones = 1.26 with 37 saves

Valverde's WHIP has been approximately 1.1 for the last 5 years. One thing I absolutely hate is when Leyland brings Valverde into the game during a non save situation. He always seems to do bad. I expect Valverde to pitch better going forward...but right now, he has a higher WHIP than Todd Jones did in his last year with the Tigers.

(04-19-2012 09:13 AM)EA3 Wrote:  There's fuss...and then there is Todd Jones type fuss.

Good closers in MLB usually have a WHIP around .9-1.2

2012 Valverde = 1.65 with 3 saves
2011 Valverde = 1.18 with 49 saves
2010 Valverde = 1.15 with 26 saves

2008 Todd Jones = 1.63 with 18 saves
2007 Todd Jones = 1.41 with 38 saves
2006 Todd Jones = 1.26 with 37 saves

Valverde's WHIP has been approximately 1.1 for the last 5 years. One thing I absolutely hate is when Leyland brings Valverde into the game during a non save situation. He always seems to do bad. I expect Valverde to pitch better going forward...but right now, he has a higher WHIP than Todd Jones did in his last year with the Tigers.

^
And you just let us know what your old id was here.

Apparently this has been discussed before?

So, Brandon Inge no longer serves any purpose. Throwing error on a 60 foot throw and slides to try to make a double play and instead fails to even stop the ball in an 8 run 1st inning.

(04-21-2012 05:21 PM)bronconick Wrote:  So, Brandon Inge no longer serves any purpose. Throwing error on a 60 foot throw and slides to try to make a double play and instead fails to even stop the ball in an 8 run 1st inning.

x10000

The grounder he missed was brutal. It makes zero sense to play him at second base with porcello on the mound. Well, it makes zero sense to play him at all at this point. As you mentioned, he serves no purpose now.

He followed that up by setting up for a double play just now......a full foot off the bag and never even attempted to step on it.

What other team would be fine with starting a guy batting .070 and being woefully inept or untrained at his position in the field.

The Tigers are absolutely the worst fielding team I have ever seen. Rayburn is flat out THE WORST fielder, at any position, in the history of the Major Leagues. And top that off with being terrible at the plate (with the exception of two second half's during his far too long career), it is shameful that Tigers brass has forced its fan base to endure watching this buffoon.

At best, the Tigers are marginal defensively at all positions except center field and catcher. Defense has never been important to either Dombrowski or Leyland.

^ this

Here is the problem, Detroit will most likely win the central by a decent margin. However, once we get to the playoffs, there isn't enough separation between Texas, Yankees, TB, and maybe even the Angels. I'm afraid we are going to get exposed in October because we employ so many below average defenders.

The other problem that drives me nuts, the darn grass at comerica park. I noticed last year that there are two shades cut in the outfield. This drives me nuts. Anyone know why this is? My best guess is that portions of the grass got damaged during a kid rock concert or something, and they couldn't replace it with the same stuff.

And as I type this, valverde walks a ranger on four straight pitches in the ninth. I don't think he's pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning this year.

Crisis avoided! Tigers win.

Attention ESPN: there are ZERO D's in Brennan Boesch's name

I wish we had a power lefty in our bullpen. A Matt Thornton or Johnny Venters type guy. There are quite a few left handed hitters in the AL that can do serious damage.

Hamilton
Cano
Granderson
Ellsbury
Gonzalez

Phil coke isn't going to get it done.

(04-21-2012 09:02 PM)EA3 Wrote:  The other problem that drives me nuts, the darn grass at comerica park. I noticed last year that there are two shades cut in the outfield. This drives me nuts. Anyone know why this is? My best guess is that portions of the grass got damaged during a kid rock concert or something, and they couldn't replace it with the same stuff.

It was definitely the Kid Rock concert. I don't know any more details more than that though. That female MSU groundskeeper sucks.

Kid Rock is so 90's. He should be playing in theaters by now, small ones.

If we don't sweep Seattle, I'm jumping off the bandwagon.

we just lost to the mariners. and gave up 7 f&%$ing runs. how do we do that?